The depth of culture and spiritual richness of modern society beats in state universities. Over the centuries, university institutions have established themselves as crucibles of thought in all its forms and in all possible branches; and without the universities it would be impossible to understand the great economic, political and social transformations of our last centuries.
What makes these noble creatures so special? Undoubtedly, his character and universal and multiple vocation. The first, because its main goal is to generate knowledge useful to humanity; and the concept of useful here goes beyond the purely practical. A poem, for example, is useless, but that does not mean, to paraphrase a sage, that it is useless. Without music and poetry, the world would be a mistake, Nietzsche would have declared.
Secondly, because the logic of the best argument prevails in universities. There is no place for authority to guarantee the truth or certainty of what is asserted; and it is evidence and its interpretation that determine whether an idea, a theory, allows us to explain the world around us and whether it survives in time as long as its explanatory power remains. Universities store and are supported by a lot of knowledge, theoretical and methodological views; and they have learned to co-exist and recognize the solidity and richness of the methods used by those who do not think alike.
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It is appropriate to reflect on the above in light of the recent announcement by Rector Enrique Graue, who warned of the risk that UNAM is a victim of outside interference university community in the process of electing a new rector in November 2023.
UNAM has been able to go through various moments of crisis and even paralysis thanks to the greatness of the university’s students; and it has been able to do so largely because of the strength of its internal structures, which, although in need of improvement, allow it to continue to accumulate knowledge, to continue to share knowledge. in classes; this culture continues to be created and spread; and that books live and survive; but no less important: for the community to continue to grow, and the idea that in UNAM our country materializes one of the greatest desires for social justice, self-improvement, personal and national growth.
Given this, there are those who erroneously claim that the legislation governing the activities of the ENAU is “very old”. And the phrase (because it is not an argument) is revealed in its complete falsity if it is asserted, for example, that we must abandon the values of equality, liberty, and fraternity, because they come from the 18th century; or that Christianity must disappear because it appeared two thousand years ago.
All good university students must protect UNAM at all costs. Because there is much more at stake than the open campus. Dreams come true in our higher education institution; open prospects for the future; a deep and powerful true vocation to generate and share knowledge is realized by thousands of professors, researchers and teachers who carry out their life project here.
Yes, it is true that UNAM is facing serious threats and will always be so. Because where there is free thought, there is always a temptation to replace it with totalitarian ideas about reality; because where there is academic freedom, there is always a temptation to impose “official versions” of reality and life”; and because where the liberating word lives, there is always the temptation to impose the tyranny of silence, rumor, or mystery.
UNAM must grow and strengthen its capabilities; and this requires more resources, more budget; more stability and more autonomy; and not, on the contrary, to conduct absurd experiments capable of throwing overboard what was built in almost 100 years of worthy university autonomy.
On the other hand, proper functioning of UNAM requires a context of respect. It would be naive to think that political power has historically not been particularly interested in influencing at least certain areas of the University. And in this situation, the government has always been tempted to “subordinate” it to the logic of presidential succession and power management of the federal executive branch.
It is important for university students to avoid this attempt; but it also requires a genuinely democratic political spirit among those in power today. It requires prudence and moderation in the actions of those responsible for the main legal and political decisions of the state. And in this regard, great generosity is required so that the interests of the situation do not damage the historical strength of one of the most important institutions for the country, as well as for Latin America.
It must be understood that our maximum class house continues to be one of the last spaces of social mobility for the hundreds of thousands of students who pass through our classrooms. And that attempts to boycott or colonize it could lead to loss of knowledge., institutional and administrative capacity; and, above all, the vision of a country capable of thinking and defending justice, human rights, freedoms and our fragile democracy.
The rector who succeeds Dr. Graue will face enormous challenges, among the most important: maximizing in him a great sense of belonging and university pride, as well as the pursuit of academic excellence, and hand in hand with this, with building a country of well-being for all.
Meanwhile, the hurdle to be overcome is to build an orderly, exemplary process for universities to elect a rector; because if UNAM can and should assert anything, it is its moral authority and its ability to show the country that democratic pedagogy, respectful inclusion, diversity and pluralism are not only possible, but the best way to move towards the country we deserve , To have.
*PUED-UNAM Researcher
Source: Aristegui Noticias

John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.